CENTURION 40

The Centurion 40 is a fast, elegant, and highly seaworthy cruiser designed by Ed Dubois and built in 1987 by the French manufacturer Henri Wauquiez with a reputation for performance and quality constructions. 

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“Norsu” is a well looked after and well maintained example of this powerful cruiser and suited for extensive offshore bluewater sailing. For the last year “Norsu” was sailed by her current owners from the UK across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, and on to Panama where she is currently looked after on a pontoon mooring on the Pacific side.  After an extensive refit by the previous owners in 2020, the current owners invested a lot more in 2023 to ready her for what was planned to be a circumnavigation over the following 3 years. Unfortunately, their dreams were cut short in Panama due to personal circumstances. “Norsu” is therefore a well cared for,  truly turn-key ready blue water cruiser ready to find some loving new owners to set sail wherever their hearts desire. Videos and photos of the trip can be found on Instagram @sailing_norsu.

The lead bulbed, shoal-draft keel gives just 5’3″ feet draught allowing for more practical use to cruise in shallow waters and tuck into well sheltered anchorages. This masthead cutter rigged sloop comes with a new engine (2023), new mainsail (2023), new electronics, chartplotter, autopilot & Starlink (2023), new safety equipment incl. 6-person liferaft (2023), all (9) new thru-hull fittings with Tru-design (2023), versatile sail wardrobe incl. new mainsail (2023), new rigging in 2020, a hydrovane self-steering system with its dedicated rudder and a self-sufficient power supply through solar panels and a wind generator. A pre-purchase survey from November 2022 is also available with remarks attended to in 2023. 

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Owner’s Comments:

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“With a heavy heart we have to sell our boat “Norsu” which was ready for us to sail around the world after living onboard for the last year. We found “Norsu” a reliable and comfortable offshore cruiser and was easily handled on solo watches as the two of us primarily sailed her speedily and efficiently from the UK to Panama. The history of the boat shows her offshore sailing abilities having now crossed the Atlantic at least 9 times. We had 2 crew for the Atlantic crossing and often had friends join us for Caribbean island hopping which felt very manageable with the boats spacious interior.  Previous owners sailed her with their two young children during an Atlantic circuit proving that this boat is not only suited to single handed (excellent cockpit layout) but also couples or families/groups of more than two. The 2+ meter headspace throughout is another feature we as tall people value a lot. We hope she will embark on many more adventures and fulfill many more dreams in the future – she is certainly ready for it!

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The boat is strong and structurally sound. As far as we know the boat has not had any significant damage in the past, and certainly not in our ownership. The babystay deckplate has been replaced at some point (we do not know when), but a surveyor will find nothing wrong with this. Keel bolts, steering quadrant etc. all look great. Apart from some cosmetic wear and tear on varnished wood and painted topsides as expected of a 35 year old boat, she shows no signs of failure.